Year: 2014

As reported in New York Tennis Magazine (from an ITA press release), the ITA Intercollegiate Tennis Association Operating Committee is re-submitting its dual match format proposal to shorten college tennis matches after a decisive vote, a move explained as "a powerful indication of the group's commitment to adopt creative and innovative measures to enhance the sport of tennis during…

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and Perform, a British media company, signed a 10-year, $535 million deal for broadcast rights to every WTA tournament in its annual calendar.  This is the largest commercial contract in the history of women's sports. Heather Bowler of the WTA explained, "This is a defining moment not just for women's tennis, but…

The holidays mean different things to different people. If your a national tournament player, parent or coach, Thanksgiving can be a day spent at a tennis club, with turkey at the hotel restaurant or at a nearby Applebee's. It's not homey or glamorous and I wouldn't want to spend Thanksgiving this way every year.  Still there's a…

Fourteen-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal criticized Spain's female Davis Cup captain Gala Leon for feeding a "false and absurd" debate. He said, "It seems strange to me as Davis Cup captain that instead of seeking union and harmony between players, captains and federations, she has incited and fed a debate that is totally false…

Tennis participation numbers are down all over, and the Long Island/New York metro area is no exception. This could be a temporary cycle or an alarming trend and I hope it's the former. It's difficult to say exactly why, but I suspect that the skyrocketing cost of college is a real drain on the resources of the tennis-playing demographic….

It seems that tennis, like football and basketball, is making news off the court because of insensitive and ignorant jerks. This latest incident has Russian tennis chief and International Olympic Committee member Samil Tarpischev calling Venus and Serena Williams "The Williams Brothers" and "Scary to look at." He has been universally condemned for these racist and sexist comments…

One of the greatest coaches in tennis history, Vic Braden, has died at the age of 85. Vic was a pioneer in the tennis instructional field. While other coaches were limiting their teaching to a reliance on personal experience, Mr. Braden was breaking barriers using science to support his instruction. Vic Braden teamed with another…

Patrick McEnroe resigned a week before The New York Times reported he was to be fired by the USTA as director of player development. Pat is a very nice and decent person, but he leaves behind a dismal record of developing top players given the system's resources. The "churn and burn" of the tournament system, as well…

Evert, Austin, Capriati, Davenport, Williams, Williams, Bellis? Not quite yet, but 15-year-old CC Bellis, TR Blue Chip and rising sophomore, Class of 2017  has the best chance to ascend to become the next great American since Serena. She is also the total package for marketers: Young, talented, attractive, sincere and best of all, she can play. I have a…

Caroline Wozniacki is going to run the 2014 New York City Marathon for the "Team for Kids" charity. "When I cross the finish line in Central Park it will be one of the most proud days of my life, not only because of the personal accomplishment, but also because it will help thousand of kids to get…